Gross Anatomy-Popliteal Fossa

Question 1

Describe Popliteal Fossa

Answer 1

• Diamond-shaped depression posterior to knee joint
• Deep fossa

Question 2

What are the Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Answer 2

• Boundaries –
o Superolaterally – biceps femoris m.
o Superomedially – semimembranosus and semitendinosus mm.
o Inferolaterally – lateral head of gastrocnemius m.
o Inferomedially – medial head of gastrocnemius m.
o Posteriorly (roof) – skin and popliteal fascia
o Floor – medial and lateral supracondylar lines, soleal line of tibia and popliteus m.

Question 3

What are the Contents of the Popliteal Fossa

Answer 3

• Contents –
o Termination of small saphenous v.
o Popliteal a. and branches
o Popliteal v. and tributaries
o Tibial and common fibular nn.
o Posterior cutaneous n. of thigh
o Lymphatics

Question 4

Describe the Fascia of Popliteal Fossa

Answer 4

• Superficial fascia –
o Contains small saphenous v. (usually) and 3 cutaneous nn.
 Posterior cutaneous n. of thigh
 Medial and lateral sural cutaneous nn.
• Deep fascia (popliteal fascia) –
o Continuous superiorly with fascia lata
o Continuous inferiorly with crural fascia
o Forms protective covering for structures passing from thigh to leg
o Forms a loose, but effective retinaculum for hamstring tt.
o Often pierced by small saphenous v.

Question 5

Vasculature in Popliteal Fossa Describe the **•Arteries – **

Answer 5

o Popliteal a. – continuation of femoral a.
 One of four places to take a pulse
 Terminates by dividing into anterior and posterior tibial aa.
• At inferior border of popliteus m.
 Medial and lateral superior genicular aa.
 Medial and lateral inferior genicular aa.
 Middle genicular a.
• Participate in formation of genicular Anastomosis
o Periarticular anastomosis around knee joint
 Provides circulation while knee is in full flexion and may kink popliteal a.

o Composed of the following:
 Descending genicular a. – from femoral a.
 Descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex a. – from profunda femoris a.
 Anterior tibial recurrent a. – from anterior tibial a.
 Fibular circumflex a.
 Posterior tibial recurrent a. (inconstant contribution)
 From posterior tibial a.

Question 6

Describe the Veins in the Popliteal Fossa

Answer 6

• Veins –
o Popliteal v. –
 Begins at inferior border of popliteus m.
 Continuation of posterior tibial v.
 Receives small saphenous v.
 Becomes femoral v. as it traverses adductor hiatus

Question 7

Describe the Lymphatics in the Popliteal Fossa

Answer 7

o Superficial and deep popliteal nodes drain to deep inguinal nodes
o Ultimately end up in external iliac nodes